Choosing the right publishing path may be one of the biggest struggles for authors everywhere. Whether you choose to self-publish or traditionally publish your book, both paths have their own benefits and challenges.
After weighing the pros and cons, you are not alone if you have chosen to publish your book traditionally. After all, the benefits of publishing your book traditionally are not limited to receiving upfront costs. There is a lot more to consider.
Here are some of the most useful tips you need to publish your book traditionally.
- Know Your Options
Choosing self-publishing was not the only choice you had to make in a series of choices while figuring out how to publish a book. The next important choice you must make is to identify the right publishers who specialise in your genre and have a history of publishing successful books in your niche.
Before finalising a publisher, make sure that you consider important factors such as their distribution network and reputation. You can read their reviews and testimonials to learn more about their professional conduct.
- Hire a Literary Agent
Although hiring a literary agent is not a compulsion, it can make the process of traditionally publishing your book a lot easier. Literary agents are professionals in the field with a vast network. They can help you get in touch with the right publishers without hassle.
Traditionally, publishing your book can be a challenge, especially if you do not have any prior experience. Having a literary agent by your side can help you navigate submission processes and ensure your best interests.
You can research literary agents who have a promising record of helping authors in the same genre as yours. You can submit a query letter to them to see if they are interested in representing you and your work to the right publishers.
- Write a Query Letter
A query letter acts as a pitch for your book for your publishers. Publishers are very busy and have several applicants to consider in one sitting. You cannot expect them to read every manuscript that reaches their way.
That is why query letters give authors an opportunity to introduce themselves and their work. It is your shot at impressing your favourite publishers. Hence, you must make it count by avoiding clichés and generic language.
Start by personalising your query letter by using their name and title instead of leaving it generic. From there on, you can outline the premise of your book and its target audience. Most importantly, do not forget to mention why your work will be an ideal fit for the publishing house you want to work with.
With every line you write, remember that this step can make or break your deal. Hence, it is important to keep and concise and clear to make all your efforts count.
- Prepare Your Manuscript
It is likely that your manuscript was already completed or close to completion when you started researching publishers for your book. However, it is important to revise your manuscript one more time before you submit it to your publishers.
You can hire beta readers or professional editors to eliminate grammatical errors, inconsistencies, and awkward phrasing from your manuscript. This way, you can ensure that your manuscript does not get rejected or criticised simply because of some avoidable mistakes.
- Follow the Submission Guidelines
As an author trying to publish their work traditionally, you may be submitting your work to several publishers. Every publisher has specific guidelines for submission, such as formatting regulations, materials to include, and submission deadlines.
You must ensure to follow specific guidelines from every publisher to let them know that you are respectful of their rules for submission. Otherwise, your submission will likely be overlooked in a sea of other submissions and you may not hear back.
- Build an Author Platform
When publishers are considering authors to work with, one of the first things they do is to consider an author’s online presence. If you do not have a strong online presence, it may reduce your chances of being considered as a reliable candidate.
A strong online presence of aspiring authors lets the publishers know that a range of readers is already available to read and support their book. Furthermore, the strong online presence of authors also indicates that marketing efforts will be relatively easier. Therefore, authors with strong online presence are preferred by traditional publishing houses to work with.
- Understand the Fine Print
After all the effort and hard work, there is a strong chance that you will hear back from different publishing houses interested in working with you. Choosing the right publishers to work with is a critical choice that you must make to ensure your best interests.
Once you finalise the traditional publishers you want to work with, you may have to sign a contract to start working. This contract holds several important details regarding your ownership, commission, and more. Hence, you must review it carefully before signing it.
If you do not have any prior experience in dealing with book publishing contracts, you may want to seek the help of your literary agent to understand all terms and conditions. These professionals have a history of helping other authors secure their best interests and they can do the same for you as well.
- Make Peace with Rejection
Finding the right publishers for your book is a daunting task and a long journey. Along your journey, you will face several rejections and may not even hear back at several times. However, you must not let these hurdles hinder your motivation to become a published author.
Instead of viewing rejection as a boulder on your journey, consider them as stepping stones leading you closer to your final destination.
You can request the publishing houses to share their reasons to reject your work. Their comments can nudge you in the right direction and help you make the needed changes in your manuscript or query letter to achieve success.